The 39th Busan International Short Film Festival kicked off Wednesday at the Busan Cinema Center for a six-day run through Monday. Under the theme of “Expanding Cinema,” the festival aims to focus on showing the variability and infinite potential of short films, according to the film fest organizer.　 The selected films will be screened at two theaters: Busan Cinema Center and BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema. For the 39th BISFF, 154 short films from 48 countries were selected for scre

“The Red Herring,” a documentary about the embattled ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk, met its funding goal of 50 million won ($40,000) within three hours on the crowdfunding platform Tumblbug on Monday. “Funding aims to secure screens at multiplex theaters by proving that there are supporters of ‘The Red Herring,’ so that we can create an opportunity for more people to watch the film at the theater,” production company CK Project said in a statement. “The f

After actor Sol Kyung-gu watched his film, “I Want to See Your Parent’s Face,” he realized the importance of parenting. “In the movie, there is a line that says ‘parents took away the last chance for the kids to be forgiven.’ Watching this film, I thought that parents’ actions are as important as the kids’ in this kind of situation. That is something new I have learned from it,” said Sol, who is a father himself, during an interview with a

Star director Yeon Sang-ho, who was behind global apocalyptic thriller “Train to Busan” (2016) and Netflix’s “Hellbound” (2021), is expanding his dystopian fantasy world, widely known as “Yeoniverse,” with Tving’s upcoming occult series “Monstrous.” “It may sound unreal, but I was thinking of director Yeon the other day. And I received a message about his new project. I was screaming in my room with excitement and decided to sta

“Next Sohee,” starring Bae Doo-na, will close Critics’ Week, a sidebar event dedicated to showing directors’ first and second films alongside the Cannes Film Festival, from May 18 to 26. The 75th Cannes Film Festival runs from May 17-28. “I am grateful to screen the film, in which all the staff and actors worked together last winter, on a splendid spring day. We are proud to introduce our precious actors to audiences around the world,” the film’s dir

Anchor (Korea) Opened April 20 Thriller Directed by Jeong Ji-yeon Se-ra (Chun Woo-hee) is a famous news presenter with a mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), who micromanages her life. One day, Se-ra receives a phone call from a woman named Mi-so, five minutes before her news program goes on air. Mi-so claims she is about to be killed by a stranger and asks Se-ra to report her story, adding that Se-ra is her idol. Se-ra tries to ignore the phone call, but later visits Mi-so’s home and dis

The Jeonju film festival organizer’s decision to screen “The Red Herring,” a documentary about the beleaguered ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk, at the festival that kicks off next week has sparked controversy. Those who are critical of the screening and the film said that it is inappropriate to present a film that takes Cho’s side after a court found that his wife had forged documents in their daughter’s university application. “We have witnessed that films l

The Megabox Coex branch in Seoul on Monday was crowded with fans with cameras, an uncommon scene for most press preview and press conference events. Given that the event was for the upcoming horror film “Urban Myth,” however, which stars 10 current and former K-pop stars, the crowd could be expected. Jaehyun of Golden Child, SeolA and Exy of WJSN, Shownu of Monsta X, Arin of Oh My Girl, Min-hyuk of BTOB, Ju Haknyeon of the Boyz, solo artist Alexa, former Lovelyz member Seo Ji-soo

Director Jeong Ji-yeon, 38, said her new film “Anchor” intentionally deals with topics related to maternal love in a way that commercial films often do not show. “I was not happy with commercial films and dramas depicting mothers as simply people who are willing to make sacrifices (for their children),” Jeong said. “I had a problem with such stereotypical depictions of mothers.” The director explained that she was also one of many women who was afraid to

One of the most recognized film festivals worldwide, Cannes Film Festival announced its official selection list for this year Thursday, including three Korean films-- “Decision to Leave,” directed by Park Chan-wook, “Broker” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut “Hunt.” Park and Kore-eda’s films were invited to the festival’s main competition category. A total of 18 contenders were

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (US) Opened April 13 Fantasy Directed by David Yates In the 1930s, professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) finds out the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is gaining power. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission. They have to encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald‘s

For actor Chun Woo-hee, playing veteran news presenter Se-ra in “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon, was an opportunity she had never had before. “I felt fulfilled playing her because my female character had her own story told from beginning to end,” Chun said in an interview with a group of local reporters Wednesday. In the film, Se-ra is a famous news presenter with a mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), who micromanages her life. One day, Se-ra receives a phone call fro

Actor Chun Woo-hee is returning to the big screen as a successful news presenter in the thriller “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon. “My job was to convince audiences that I am a professional news presenter with 9 years of experience,” Chun said during a press conference held Monday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University. “I did my best. The director, staff and news presenter Kim Min-jung gave me positive feedback during the shooting. I wonder what the audience will

Previously shunned themes, fresh attempts part of survival strategy at Watcha and Seezn

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda’s film ”Broker,“ starring several Korean actors including Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na, Gang Dong-won and IU, is set to hit local theaters in June, according to film distributor CJ ENM. Koreeda wrote and directed the film and also worked with CJ ENM, the entertainment unit of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group, which financed and produced the project. It is the first Korean movie directed by Koreeda, the Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes F